Old Testament
Ezekiel 14:7
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God addresses anyone in Israel or foreigners living there who choose to distance themselves from Him.
- Author
- Ezekiel the prophet
- Written
- Around 590 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Exiled Israelites in Babylon
Anyone in Israel — or any foreigner living among them — who cuts himself off from me, sets up idols in his heart, puts the sin that causes him to stumble right in front of his face, and then goes to a prophet to ask me for guidance — I, the LORD, will answer that person myself.
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses anyone in Israel or foreigners living there who choose to distance themselves from Him. When someone sets up idols in their heart, they prioritize things that lead them away from God. They may even put their sins right in front of them, making it hard to see the truth. Despite this, if they seek guidance from a prophet, God promises to respond directly to them. This shows that even when we stray, God is still willing to engage with us. He desires a relationship, even when we make poor choices. The key is recognizing our mistakes and seeking Him sincerely. God’s response is not just for the faithful but also for those who have wandered away, highlighting His grace and willingness to guide us back. This verse reminds us that our hearts matter to God, and He sees beyond our actions to our true intentions. He invites us to turn back to Him, no matter how far we’ve gone astray, and offers His guidance and wisdom in our lives. Explore related separation.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Ezekiel 14:7 to your life
Reflect on what idols you may have in your life that distract you from your relationship with God. Consider how you can remove these distractions and seek His guidance more earnestly. Remember, God is always ready to respond when you turn back to Him sincerely.
Curated for this public verse page. Ezekiel Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Ezekiel 14:7 mean?
Ezekiel 14:7 means that anyone who distances themselves from God and prioritizes idols or sin will still have the opportunity to seek guidance from Him. God promises to respond directly to those who sincerely seek Him, showing His willingness to engage even when we stray.
What is the meaning of idols in Ezekiel 14:7?
In Ezekiel 14:7, idols refer to anything that a person places above God in their heart, which can lead them away from a true relationship with Him. These can be desires, habits, or anything that distracts from following God's ways.
How does Ezekiel 14:7 relate to seeking guidance?
Ezekiel 14:7 highlights that even those who have separated themselves from God can still seek guidance through a prophet. God assures that He will respond to those who earnestly seek Him, demonstrating His grace and desire for relationship.
The Book of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 1: Visions of God
The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the river Chebar in the land of the Chaldeans. He sees visions of God as the heavens open. A great cloud comes from the north with a fire flashing continually and brightness around it, and from the midst appears something like glowing metal. From the fire emerge four living creatures, each with the likeness of a man. Each has four faces and four wings, and their legs are straight with feet like a calf's foot, shining like polished brass. Their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, and their wings are joined one to another as they move straight forward without turning.
Unlock the full Ezekiel summary
Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.
The complete summary of Ezekiel — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 48 chapters.
What you get
Every chapter of Ezekiel summarized in clear, modern English
How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points
Permanent access — read anytime, on any device
Best value • Save over 90%
One-time purchase • Access anytime
ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.
Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.